Holiday happenings

Auburn Hills' 17th annual tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the MOMS' World War II Memorial on the corner of Squirrel and Auburn roads in downtown Auburn Hills. Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus at Waterhouse Photography, enjoy a slice of pizza and a pop at JoAnglea's Pizza & Deli, try chili samples courtesy of the Auburn Hills Rotary Club, and enjoy a free Pillowmellow with the purchase of a hot chocolate at Nana's Gourmet. Hear Heritage in the Hills' Belles and Beaus Handbell Choir and create a holiday make-and-take craft. Donations of new winter coats, mittens, hats and gloves will also be accepted from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 only at the city's downtown office at 3395 Auburn Road, Suite A. Call 248-370-9353 or visit www.auburnhills.org.

BERKLEY

The Berkley Holiday Lights Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in downtown Berkley. There will be free trolley rides during the day from 2 to 5 p.m. for shoppers throughout the Berkley downtown district. Horse drawn carriage rides are noon to 3 p.m. at Berkley Community Church. The parade route travels east on 12 Mile Road from Cummings Street to Coolidge Highway and ends at Berkley City Hall, where Santa is delivered to the gazebo and officially welcomes the holiday season to Berkley, lighting the city tree. The Roger's Rockettes will provide entertainment at the gazebo prior to Santa's arrival. Visit www.berkleychamber.com.

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BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham will welcome its new Winter Market, debuting Dec. 3-5 in Shain Park. Holiday crafts, local artisans' works, entertainment and holiday greens will be on display. Hot drinks and European-style treats will be offered. The Magic of Birmingham, with carolers and gifts, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11 and Dec. 18. Visit www.enjoybirmingham.com.

Ferndale's Holiday Ice Festival is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. It features 40 ice sculptures around downtown and live ice carving. People can have a pancake breakfast with Santa. The Christmas tree will be switched on in Schiffer Park. Visit www.downtownferndale.com.

HOLLY

The annual Holly Dickens Festival -- which features actors playing the characters of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" -- begins Nov. 27 and continues on Saturdays -- Dec. 4, 11 and 18 in downtown Holly. The free festival runs from 1 to 6 p.m. and includes carolers, carriage rides and hot roasted chestnuts to sweep visitors back to the Victorian days. Visit www.hollydickensfestival.com.

Santa arrives at Always Christmas in Orion Township's Canterbury Village on Joslyn Road at noon Friday, Nov. 26. He will be there every weekend through Christmas. Call 248-391-5700.

OXFORD

A tree-lighting ceremony will be in Centennial Park at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. From 5 to 8 p.m., people are invited to take part in the "Soup and Sweet Stroll." Visitors can buy a $5 wristband to be able to try soups and sweet treats offered around town. Choral groups will provide music. Parking is free. Visit www.downtownoxford.org.

Holly Days will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Sundquist Pavilion in Riley Park. The event includes Santa Claus and live reindeer, a greens and gifts market and a free family photo with Santa. At Santa's Workshop, find stories, free refreshments, crafts and cookies with Mrs. Claus at Mike Greer Photography at 33316 Grand River Ave. Visit www.downtownfarmington.org.

LAKE ORION

The Orion Area Lighted Parade will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. This year's theme is "Orion in Wonderland." Floats and vehicles will be illuminated with Christmas lights, and bands will play holiday music as organizations from around the area march through downtown. Visithttp://orionlightedparade.org.

MILFORD

The Milford Presbyterian Church's Christmas musical and drama production "A Baby Changes Everything" will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, and at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at 238 N. Main St.

The Holiday Extravaganza Parade will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in downtown Pontiac. The parade -- jointly sponsored by Pontiac, Auburn Hills and White Lake and Waterford townships -- features floats, balloons, horse-drawn carriages and marching bands. A Children's winterart festival will be prior to the parade, which includes craft projects, a petting farm, Santa's reindeer, face painters and balloon artists. Stop by the Gallery of Ice to see ice sculptures and live demonstrations. Visit www.holidayextravaganza.org.

ROCHESTER

Downtown Rochester shares lagniappe -- small gifts given to customers -- from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29. The lagniappe celebration features carolers, Santa Claus, live reindeer and fun for the family, officials said. At 7 p.m., officials throw the switch on 1.5 million lights for the downtown's Big, Bright Light Show which runs through Jan. 2. The Kris Kringle Market will be Dec. 3-5. The annual Christmas parade on Main Street starts at 2 p.m. Dec. 5. Visit www.downtownrochestermi.com.

SOUTHFIELD

The city of Southfield will kick off the holiday season with the Burgh Historical Park Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Burgh Historical Park, 26080 Berg Road. The ceremony will include caroling with the Metropolitan Singers as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive from the North Pole. Following the tree lighting, guests are invited inside the 1854 Burgh Church for a performance by the Southfield P&R Tap Dancers and visits with Santa. Call 248-796-4620.

WATERFORD TWP.

The 24th Annual Tree Lighting in Waterford will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, at Township Hall in the Civic Center Campus. The event features caroling, refreshments, a craft for kids and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring a can of nonperishable food to be given to the Goodfellows for their holiday food baskets. Call 248-674-5441.

-- The Waterford Garden Club will hold its 56th annual Greens Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the Waterford Parks and Recreation Building, 2303 Crescent Lake Road. Featured will be fresh wreaths, roping and swags, along with fresh and silk floral arrangements. The nonprofit organization will give all proceeds to help the Parks and Recreation, Drayton Plains Nature Center, Michigan 4-H Foundation, Christmas Adopt-a-Family and community garden projects throughout the year. Call Karen Salswedel at 248-673-7862.

WHITE LAKE TWP.

The White Lake Township Community Tree Lighting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at the Village Lakes Shopping Center, home to JCPenney and other stores. This free event includes crafts for the kids and a history contest by the White Lake Township Library. Come visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Event features a chili cook-off and a tribute to veterans and military personnel. High school choirs will perform and host a sing-along. Visit www.whitelaketwp.com.